During the launch of SRMI (Safe Responsible Migration Initiative) scheme in a programme on December 16, 2021, Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed concern about the workers going from across the State to other states and abroad in search of work. It was said that in view of the tragedy that happened across the country with the migrant workers during the Corona period, the State government is constantly trying to solve the problem. Also, this scheme is being started for a permanent solution to the problems of migrant workers. It is our endeavour that if the labourer or any worker of the State goes to any place outside the State for earning, then he should feel fearless and safe that the government of his state is with him in case of any kind of problem.
Before the start of this scheme and even after the start of the scheme, there were many such occasions when the workers trapped outside the state in any adverse situation requested for help from the state government and the CM showed full sensitivity in those matters for the safe return of the workers.
On Sunday, 16 January, the CM got information that 33 migrant workers of Giridih and Hazaribagh districts, who are stranded in the African country of Mali and they are not being paid for their work. Even after more than three months, the company is not paying the wages to the migrant workers.
Taking quick cognisance of the matter, the CM directed the Minister of Labour, Satyanand Bhokta to take prompt action in the matter and provide all possible help to the workers. The Minister, after ascertaining the contact details of the labourers through Twitter, directed the Labour Commissioner, Government of Jharkhand to contact the Indian Embassy in Mali.
Meanwhile, on the instructions of the Minister, State Labour Control Room run with the help of Phia Foundation took initiatives to contact the labourers and ensure arranging basic amenities for them. It also undertook works to counsel the workers and make them feel confident that the State Government is trying its best to bring them back home.
After establishing immediate contact with the workers and getting detailed information about their problems, the Labour Commissioner, A Muthukumar contacted the diplomat of the Indian Embassy in Mali, Anjani Kumar, urging him to solve the problems of the workers.
The Indian Embassy in Bamako, the African country of Mali, took cognisance of the information given by the state government. Thereafter the embassy established contact with the workers and the company. Both the sides were invited for a meeting on January 18 to resolve the matter. During the meeting held in the mediation of the Indian Embassy, the officials of the company took the responsibility of paying the outstanding wages of the workers and arranging flight tickets from Mali to Ranchi for all the 33 workers.Also, the company will be responsible for their accommodation, food and any kind of emergency arrangement till all these labourers stay in Mali. This arbitration letter was signed by a representative on behalf of the workers and a representative on behalf of the company. Also, two high officials of the Indian Embassy agreed to it.
The embassy has also directed the company to get the no dues certificate from the labourers and inform them after completing the arrangements for their return home.